Issued by: SA Communication Service
The Matric examinations are progressing well in spite of the uncertainty and anxiety caused by the real leakage of some examination papers and the wild allegations and rumours about other possible leaks. The Provincial Department have been working around the clock, faced with unprecedented pressures and expectations to remain a step ahead of the criminals and corrupt individuals who are prepared to destroy the future of our children for financial gain. To their credit, our Provincial Departments have invested considerable time, energy and resources to increasing the security around the examination papers. They require the assistance and co-operation of both the public and the security forces to isolate and arrest the culprits who are responsible for the present climate surrounding these examinations.
I am therefore pleased by the latest reports of arrests and general progress made in the investigations about the irregularities in the present Matric examinations. It is important that these investigations go to the source of corruption and criminal activity in order that the real masterminds behind it may be exposed and be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. I wish to thank the members of the public for their assistance in making these arrests possible, and I urge them to continue to be increasingly vigilant and suspicious of anyone who attempts to involve them in this corrupt business.
In as far as the allegations made about the National and Provincial Departments, I warmly welcome the investigation by the Public Protector, Adv. Baqwa, into the preparations and security arrangements for the examinations. We will fully assist the Public Protector in the performance of his statutory duties, and the provincial education authorities will readily co-operate with him in order to satisfy public concerns about the steps taken to conduct the examinations in an efficient and professional manner.
On my part I will continue to strengthen the hand of the provinces and to monitor the progress of the examination process. In this regard I have appointed a Task Team which comprises of the Chairperson of the Inter-Provincial Examinations Committee (IPEC), Dr Nieburh and the Executive Officer of the South African Certification Council (SAFCERT), Dr Calitz, to visit all provinces as from today to the 29th November. This task team will monitor the situation in all the provinces and provide assistance on issues related to the writing of the examinations, the marking of scripts and the processing of results.
In the meantime, I urge my Provincial colleagues to continue to do their outmost to ensure that rest of the examinations are conducted in the best possible manner for the sake of the future of this country.
12 November 1996
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL MR LINCOLN MALI AT 083 251 4044 OR (012) 326 0126